Are winter tires a must? Could I keep my all season tires throughout the winter? What’s the difference between the two?
Surprisingly, there’s a bigger difference in the two tires than their names suggest. All season tires and winter tires are made differently. They were made solely based on outdoor temperature to reduce the chance of losing control of your vehicle when it hits snow or ice. In this article we’ll compare the two tires and explain the importance of having winter tires during the cold months!
All season tires VS winter tires
Most people are unsure of the differences between the two tires because their name make it very conflicting. All season tires are not made for most Canadian winters. If you live in the Kitchener Waterloo area, you most likely had the pleasure of experimenting our lovely winters, which include a great deal of snowy and icy roads. All season tires are ideal for season like fall, spring and summer because of their build. They are made of a hard rubber with closed tread patterns which is ideal when driving through water and gripping roads during the seasons mentioned. But when winter starts slowly creeping in, the all season tires don’t stand a chance! The rubber of the tires start hardening and losing their traction, which increases the chance of losing control of your vehicle when it hits snow or ice. Besides, winter tires are made of a softer rubber that creates flexibility during the cold temperature and does not harden. The softer rubber provides a much safer drive during the winter weather!
Another great difference between the two tires is their tread patterns, all season tires have a closed tread patterns. This means when driving through a rainy spring day, your vehicle is able to push through the rain and retain control, excellent during fall, spring and summer. When winter comes around, all season tires will rapidly get clump with snow and ice which prevents the tires from gripping on the road, all because of the closed tread patterns. On the other hand, winter tires have open tread patterns which allows you to drive through snow and ice. You’ll have control over your vehicle and enjoy safe drives throughout the winter.
Traction is everything during winter months, being able to control your vehicle through snow and icy roads is essential in Kitchener. How many times have we all experienced the slight feeling of drifting through the snow on a busy roads? It’s a scary experience that can easily be avoided by being careful and switching to winter tires!
The verdict
In conclusion, to enjoy winter driving in Kitchener, winter tires are a must!! They provide the proper traction, which will keep you and your family safe when driving. To get the best winter tires for your vehicle, give us a visit and we’ll gladly discuss your options and answer any of your concerns!
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